Whether you're searching for a little sliver of peace amidst uncertainty or strength during a trying time, these Bible verses are sure to offer comfort and hope. They're also a thoughtful addition to sympathy cards and thinking-of-you notes. Jot down your favorites so you can reference them whenever you need a boost.
Nicolette Wells/Getty ImagesHave No Fear
Deuteronomy 31:8-9
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The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Psalm 23:4
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Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 27:1
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The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:12
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The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 145: 18-19
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The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Isaiah 41:10
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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:1-2
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Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Matthew 10:29-31
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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
See Joy
Proverbs 17:22
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A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
John 16:22
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So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16:24
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Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Colossians 1:11
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May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
Hebrews 12:1-2
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And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2-3
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Take Comfort
Psalm 119:76
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May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Matthew 6:25-34
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Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 11:28
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Come to me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
John 14:27
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 16:33
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I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Philippians 4:6-7
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Peter 5:7
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Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be Strong
Deuteronomy 31:6
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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Psalm 9:9-10
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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 31:24
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Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
Psalm 46:1-3
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Isaiah 40:31
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But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Timothy 1:7
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For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Hebrews 13:5-6
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Because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
1 Peter 5:10
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And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
There's Hope
Psalm 33:22
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Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Jeremiah 29:11
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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 19:26
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But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'
Romans 5:5
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And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 8:24-25
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For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 15:13
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 6:19
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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 10:24-25
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And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
You're Protected
Psalm 32:7-8
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You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 46:10
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He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 121:1-2
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I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Have Faith
Psalm 16:8
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I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2
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Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 116:1-2
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I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Proverbs 3:3-6
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 8:38-39
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No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Ephesians 2:6-7
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And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 21:4
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He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.